Shock-absorbing wheel for vehicles.



G. E. MOSER. SHOCK ABSORBING WHEEL FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 30, 1910.

1,073,508. Patented Sept. 16,1913.

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G. E. MOSBR. SHOCK ABSORBING WHEEL FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED DBO. so, 1910.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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G. E. MOSER. SHOCK ABSORBING WHEEL FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 80, 1910.

1,073,508, Patented Sept. 16,1913

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CHARLES EZDVIARD MOSER, OF BOULOGNE-SUR-SEINE, FRANCE.

SHOCK-ABSORBING \VHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

Application filed December 30, 1910. Serial No. 600,132.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES Enwano Moses, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at 14 Rue Thiers, Boulognc-sur- Seine, l rancc, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorbing lVheels for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object a shockabsorbing wheel for road or railway vehicles, and consists in forming the shock absorber of spherical bodies or balls made of hard metal, and inclosed in displaceable chambers.

"he characteristic feature of this shockabsorbing wheel is that the chambers in which the balls are contained are entirely filled with balls, that is to say, that all these balls are constantly tangential to one another, and that in consequence of the internal configuration of the chambers, which have either polyhedral sides, projections, ribs, or zigzags, the balls are carried around and forced to follow the rotary movement of the wheel.

This improved construction of wheel comprises one, two or more central movable concentric chambers inclosed between two parallel plates placed concentrically to its axle.

Figure 1 is a diametrical transverse sectional view through a wheel portion embodying my invention in which a polyhedral ball chamber is provided. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the device as disclosed in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the lines yv of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the hub portion of a wheel embodying a modification of my invention, in which a cylindrical ball chamber is provided with lugs or projections extending thereinto. Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the hub as disclosed in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 3 embodying a modification of my invention, an ovally formed ball chamber being provided. Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the hub portion of a Wheel embodying a modification of my invention, and merely that portion at one side of the axis of symmetry being shown. a polyhedral ball chamber being provided. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a modification of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2. is a view similar to Fig.

Fig. 8 6 showing a mod1- tication of the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. (5 showing a further modification of the form shown in Figs. 3 and 1. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. (3 showing a still further modification oi the form as shown Figs. 3 and 1.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2, the wheel is formed of two parallel plates 1, 2 maintained at an invariable distance through the medium of bolts 3 furnished inside the plates with a sleeve 1 or with shoulders which keep the plates apart. The plate 3 is provided with a cylindrical sleeve or bush having an internal flange which fits the reduced end of the axle A. Between these plates 1, 2 and on the bush or sleeve 5 is mounted a metal sleeve (3, which is provided over a portion of its circun'i'f'ercnce and on each side with a segmental extension or flange 7. Each extension 7 engages in a recess 7 in the form 01'' a grooved sector in each at the plates 1 and 9.. These extensions 7 in coming in contact with the recess 7 are thus forced to rotate with the plates. Surrounding the metal sleeve is a sleeve 8 made of india-rubber or other flexible material, or spiral or other easily compressible springs. On the resilient sleeve 8 which is easily compressible is carried a solid or hollow sleeve S), which forms the inner wall 01'' the ball-chamber. On the sleeve 9 are end flanges 10 having extensions 11, which engage in the recess 7, for the purpose o1" ij'orcing the sleeve S) to rotote with the plates 1 and The flanges 10 do not extend inward to the sleeve ('3, in order that it may be possible for the sleeve 9 to approach the axis of rotation by con'ipressing the resilient sleeve 8. The sides of the flanges 10 serve for centering the sleeve 9 between the plates 1 and 2. in the annular empty spaces formed between the plates 1, 2, and the ends of the sleeve 9 the side cheeks 13 and 14 of the ballchamber a slide. The check 11 forms part with a polyhedral casing or wall 15 placed concentrically to the axle A. The wall 15 forms part of the hub 16, inclosed between the plates 1 and 2, on which the spokes B of the wheel are arranged.

The checks 13 and 141: may be recessed on the outside as shown, for the purpose of lessening their tfriction against the inner faces of the plates 1. and 2. The check is firmly connected with the check 1% by stud bolts 17, which, it necessary, may serve for tightening up the balls,'so as to lessen their mobility. All that is necessary for this purpose is to bring the two cheeks 13 and 14; more or less near together up the stud bolts 17 accordingl In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the exterior of the ball-chamber has flat parts 15 and curvilinear parts 18. The sleeve 9 is provided on its periphcry with ribs 19 which project into the ballchamber a. The'ribs 1'9 are intended to cooperate with the polyhedral walls 15 and 18 of the ball chamber, to assist the rotary movement of the masso'f the balls under the influence of the rotation of the wheel. Op- )osite one or more otthe curvilinear sides 18 and in the interior of the ball-chamber plates 20 may be arranged with adjusting screws 21 for operating on the plates to tighten the balls up more or less. As will be seen in this form of construction the axle A. is supported by the hub 16 through the medium of the balls 64 which entirely fill the displaceable central chamber. The result of this is that when the vehicle moves forward or backward there is a slight flexibility between the wheel rim and hub, and the wheel in running over the ground pushes the mass of the balls forward through the medium of the polyhedral sides 15 and 18 or of the ribs 19, and constantly carries the balls below the axle, that is to say tothe place which receives the shock.

The consequence is that the shocks arising from the unevenness or" the road are produced against the body of the balls which they displace in the chamber at the expense of the radial mobility of the ball-chamber along the inner faces ot the plates 1 and 2. The shocks, being absorbed by the dis placement of the body of the balls, do not reach the axle A, which remains almost unaffected. The slight compressibility of the ring 8 reduces the severity of the shocks imparted to the balls.

In Figs. 3 and 4c the outer wall of the ball-chamber is cylindrical. This wall is provided with ribs 22, which extend over a portion of the height and of the width of the chamber, while the ribs 19 forming part with the sleeve 9 a part of the height, and of the width of that chamber. These ribs force the balls to follow the movement of the wheel when rotafting.

In Fig. 5 the sleeve 9 and the wall 15 of the ball-ch=amber are elliptical. There is no rib, the annular elliptical seating reserved for the balls a being sufficient to force the balls to rotate with the wheel.

In Fig. 6 the sleeve 9 and outer wall 15 of the ball-chamber are polyhedral.

In Fig. 7 the sides of the ball chamber are similar to those in Fig. 2 but an intermediate by screwing 1 are arranged radially over l polyhedral ring 23 with external ribs 24: is arranged in the middle of the ball chamber.

In Fig. 8 thetwo concentric ball-chambers are only provided with radial projections 19, of dilierent length on the intermediate ring 23 forming the cylindrical separating surface.

In Fig. 9 there are two concentric ball chambers. 'The inner chamber surrounds the sleeve 9 provided with the ribs 19, and cut-out ribs 25 under which theballs a pass. The "concentric outer ball-chamber is provided with a circumferential cylindrical casing, the intermediate ring 23 forming its bottom, :and the circumferential casing of the central chamber being furnished with projecting ribs :19, and excised .ribs 25 of the same type.

In'LFig. 10 the twoconcentric ball chambers are provided with radial projecting ribs 19, extending over a partof the height of the chamber. v

1. A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, ahub and a tread portion ,movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried .by and peripherally of said hub, a collar 1 -ounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circumferen-tially but free to move toward and from the axis of said hub,a second collar spaced apart from said first mentioned :collar and carried by said tread portion, a' bo'dy consisting of a plurality relation to each other interposed between said collars, and means for confining said body of balls within the chamber .f'ormediby such means and the said collars, the said first mentioned v"collars "being peripherally irregular to force the said body of balls to fell ow substantially the rotary movementimparted to the wheel to transmit movement between the hub and tread portion of the wheel with flexibility therebetween, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, a hub and a tread portion movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried by and peripherally ott said hub, :a collar mounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circumferentially but free to move toward or from the axis :01" said j'hub, a second collar spaced apart from said first mentioned collar and carried said tread portion, a body consisting of a plurality of balls in tangential relation to each said collars, and means for confining -s aid body of balls within the chamber formed by said means and thesaid collars, the said second mentioned collar being peripherally imparted to the wheels, ment between of balls in tangential,

the wheel with flexibility thercbetween, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, a hub and a tread portion movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried by and peripherally of said hub, a collar mounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circumferentially, but free to move toward or from the axis of said hub, a second collar spaced apart from said first mentioned collar and carried by said tread portion, a body consisting of a plurality of balls in tangential relation to each other interposed between said collars, and means for confining said body of balls within a chamber formed by said means and said collars, the said first and second mentioned collars being peripherally irregular to force the said body of balls to follow substantially the rotary movement imparted to the wheel, to transmit movement between the hub and tread portions of the wheel with flexibility therebetween, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4- A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, a hub and a tread portion movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried by and peripherally of said hub, a collar mounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circimr ferentially, but free to move toward or from the axis of said hub, a second collar spaced apart from said first mentioned collar and carried by said tread portion, a body consisting of a plurality of balls in tangential relation to each other interposed between said collars, means for confining said body of balls within the chamber formed by said means and the said collars, means for adjusting the relative tangential contact of said balls, the said first mentioned collar being peripherally irregular to force the said body of balls to follow substantially the rotary movement imparted to the wheel, to transmit movement between the hub and tread portions of the wheel with flexibility therebetween, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, a hub and a tread portion movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried by and peripherally of said hub, a collar mounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circum- 'lerentially, but free to move toward or from the axis of said hub, a second collar spaced apart from said first mentioned collar and carried by said tread portion, a body consisting oi? a plurality of balls in tangential relation to each other interposed between said collars, means for confining said body of balls within the chamber formed by said means and the said collars, and means for adjusting the relative tangential contact of the said balls, the said second mentioned collar being peripherally irregular to force the said body of balls to follow substantially the rotary movement imparted to the wheel, to transmit movement between the hub and tread portions of the wheel. with flexibility therebetween, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A shock absorbing wheel comprising in combination, a hub and a tread portion movable with respect to each other, resilient means carried by and peripherally of said hub, a collar mounted upon said resilient means and movable with said hub circumferentially, but free to move toward or from the axis of? said hub, a second collar spaced. apart from said first mentioned collar and carried by said tread portion, a body consisting of a plurality of balls in tangential relation to each other interposed between said collars, means for confining said body of balls within the chamber formed by said means and the said collar, and means for adjusting the relative tangential contact of the said balls, the said first and second mentioned collars being peripherally irregular to force the said body of balls to follow substantially the rotary movement imparted to the wheel, to transmit movement between the hub and tread portions of the wheel with flexibility therebetween, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have a'llixed my signature, in presence of two witnes es.

CHARLES EDlVARD MOSER. lVitnesses ALnnn'r lVIAULmUL'r,

H. C. Coxn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

